White House likes Dem chances this fall

3/16/14 11:00 AM EDT

The White House is confident that Democrats will keep the Senate despite the continued politicization of Obamacare.

White House Senior Adviser Dan Pfeiffer said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that President Barack Obama will not delay Obamacare’s individual mandate -- and that this election will be less about the Affordable Care Act and more about voter turnout.

“We absolutely have to do a better job of turning out in midterm elections." Pheiffer said. "If more Democrats don't turn out, we will not do well. We have to get as many people to the polls in November as possible."

Despite a painful loss in a toss-up House district’s special election last week, Pfeiffer was confident about Democrats' chances this fall and their Obamacare messaging that seeks to keep the law but fix its kinks. And he said the president “will be an asset in every way possible."

“I believe we will keep the Senate. We have great candidates with experience winning in tough states and we're on the right side of the issues,” Pfeiffer said.

And what about delaying the law’s individual mandate, a move that Republicans have long demanded and could help red state Democrats this fall? Well, Pfeiffer was confident about that, too.